1st trip ever to DW (40+) your expert guidence appreciated!

[bugsy]

I've got to say, first of all, you guys have opened my eyes! :thewave: I've planned many trips, and have been to DL several times, but I never realized before how much was involved with DW!! I've quickly become hooked on this site, since you have far more info than any site or guide book Sooo, we are to be at the BC, (or YC,see previous plea for advice!) any tips would be GREATLY appreciated! we like wild rides and the occasional and a little romance on the side we were considering the dining plan, but not sure it would suit our needs (input please!) whatever your suggestions, we are all ears!
It will be our 10th anniversary . Thanks to all!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We been going to WDW for 30 years, in our 50's now and its the only place we vacation at, my decision and wife's. Had 2 children and they grew up on disney nad still go there, without us and still with us. Never do the dining package. Don't feel its worth the money, we have alot of favorite places we like to eat, some aren't offer in the plan, and then some days you're too full to really eat a big meal. When we got to the HDD, once every visit, its a small breakfast, no lunch, HDD is a big fav of ours. Second, disney meals are pricey, but they are huge. Will easilt feed two people. Our take on this is mme and the wife usually split our meals, more than enough for us each. This way we can eat 3 meals a day if we want and are never overfull. The Florida heat pulls the strength out of you and an overfull belly doesn't help. When we lay our trip out, we figure the days of stay by 3 meals a day. Then its how many breaqkfasts, lunchs and dinners and shows. Now we have our favorite resturants but they don't all serve 3 meals, so we navigate our way into the meals of the day plus where we're going for the day to cut down of traveling all over the vplace just to eat. The plan works for us, its flexible and have done it for years. But always too many dinner and breakfast place of our trips. A 8 day stay you can't have 12 breakfasts or 15 dinner places. We use cut outs of paper at home for places and lay them out for the days and areas on the floor and plan accordingly. Thats why most days we go to 2 separate parks on account of dining. Always get hopper passes and write out notecards each day so as not to guess when arriving at WDW. Pull out the day card, make our reservation for the day and then go out and play, knowing where we're going and what we're gonna do. Some times we switch the day cards around because of crowds but we're still in the same ball game as to food location to park play. Sounds complicated but its easy and after alot of visits and "Where we eating or where we going" this is our ticket to peace, everyone puts their 2 cents in at home before we go and everyones always happy, everybody gets their favorites, no fuss no muss!!

 

[smjj]

Jst be prepared. We have friends who thought WDW was nothing more than a big King's Island(outside of Cinn.). They stayed offsite, had no idea there were more than one park and were not sure when we ask before they went what entrance they were by(what, you mean there is more than one!!). They ended up getting very furstrated not knowing where to go on what days and wasted a lot of time end energy. Expect long lines,expensive food and do a little advance planning and you will be fine...smjj

 

[Disney5Mom]

We don't use dining plan either but we plan ahead and book PS near our evening park. We don't have to wait long and really enjoy Disney's Dining Experiences. We love Boma, Ohana, and for fun Whispering Canyon. Have a great trip!

 

[bugsy]

this sounds like a great plan! I am the "queen of the listmakers" so this is right up my alley. I like to have a loose, flexible, yet general plan. So, do you then, it seems, make your dinner PS reservations in the morning, rather than prior to your trip?? Thanks again for the tip!

 

[Mysteria]

this sounds like a great plan! I am the "queen of the listmakers" so this is right up my alley. I like to have a loose, flexible, yet general plan. So, do you then, it seems, make your dinner PS reservations in the morning, rather than prior to your trip?? Thanks again for the tip!

It depends on when you are going and how flexible you are about where you want to eat. If you are going during a busy time you may not be able to get a PS the morning of. Even during slow times (early December for example) other things may play a factor. For example...try getting a PS at Le Cellier in Epcot for dinner during the time they sell packages for Candlelight Processional. You won't get one if you try to do it the morning of....however many other places outside Epcot (even some in) at this time you could book the morning of. My point...If there is somewhere you have your heart set on book it early. You can always cancel if you change your mind.

Myst

 

[bugsy]

It depends on when you are going and how flexible you are about where you want to eat. If you are going during a busy time you may not be able to get a PS the morning of. Even during slow times (early December for example) other things may play a factor. For example...try getting a PS at Le Cellier in Epcot for dinner during the time they sell packages for Candlelight Processional. You won't get one if you try to do it the morning of....however many other places outside Epcot (even some in) at this time you could book the morning of. My point...If there is somewhere you have your heart set on book it early. You can always cancel if you change your mind.

Myst

thanks for the tip! it was just the advise I was looking for..now onto my restaurant reviews list........

 

[Disney5Mom]

We book our PS before we leave home (usually as soon as we decide where we want to eat) and change them if we need to when we are there.

 

[Micca]

Welcome to the Dis Bugsy I don't know about the dining plan(haven't tried it yet) but wanted to say hello, and if there's anything else about WDW you need...just let us know. BTW, as wonderful as DLR is, the Florida property is cool.

 

[WEDWDW]

Just realize that Walt Disney World Resort is four MAJOR theme parks-much,much bigger than Disneyland Resort.There are also two major water parks,two miniature golf courses,several golf courses,two entertainment districts,and twenty-something resorts!Buy a guidebook and learn all that you can about about Walt Disney World Resort.DO NOT miss Spectromagic and Wishes at Magic Kingdom,IllumiNations-Reflections of Earth at Epcot and Fantasmic! at Disney/MGM Studios.HAVE A GREAT TRIP!

 

[bugsy]

We book our PS before we leave home (usually as soon as we decide where we want to eat) and change them if we need to when we are there.

hi! decided against the disney dining plan, too many rules, not enough choices, and as an adult couple, we don't think the savings would change our lives, in exchange for freedom..we did, however, make PS 's for Yachtsman Steakhouse , Narcoosees, and Sci Fi Dinner , since these seemed to be ones we did not want to miss. We don't want to overbook, but does anyone have any other suggestions/favorites to share? I still haven't heard from anyone about the Pirates Dinner Show ??? Only nine weeks til we go, but I'm not counting!!!...............

 

[Tinseltown Trauma]

Bugsy,

When exactly are you going to be there?

What part of CA are you from?

TT

 

[minkydog]

We went on our first "couple trip" last month and had a fabulous time. One of the most delightful things we did was take an "off" day in teh middle of our trip. I booked massages for us at the GF spa. Then we trotted over to the GF lobby. They were able to seat us for tea with no PSs!(dumb luck , I'm sure) Tea was so delicious. I thought it would be a bit stuffy for DH but he loved it.And I was so full I thought I was gonna have to take my dessert in a go box. Then we moved back out to the lobby to listen to the pianist and the jazz band. Just me & my hubby, shoes off, feet up on a coffee table...ahhhh

 

[bugsy]

Bugsy,

When exactly are you going to be there?

What part of CA are you from?

TT

we will be at WDW may 10 thru 17. we are from Sonoma County
(wine country) We leave in 63 days--can't wait! ps I used to live in so calif (no hollywood/glendale) for 2 years, but that was 22 years ago--where are you from???

 

[Tinseltown Trauma]

LOL! I live in No. Hollywood. And was here when you were here!! And still here.

I will be at WDW from 5/9 to 5/18! Staying at Pop.


Oh, geez, Sonoma, you lucky dog. Haven't been up there since '89. On my list of travel targets (esp because I want to start scoping out potential [early] retirement spot). Plus, I'm a bit of a Calif. wino, if you know what I mean.

Being native So. CA, I grew up on Disneyland, but this is my first trip to WDW, too. Have picked up some great tips here and there--do you want me to post or pm? Am about ready to hit the sack, so should probably write tomorrow when I'm more alert....but will be up surfing for a while longer!

TT

 

[bugsy]

my son was born in Burbank 10/81--st joseph's hospital across the street from Disney Studios (I've told him for years that's why he's a little Goofy ) what a "small world after all" write tomorrow!

 

[Tinseltown Trauma]

my son was born in Burbank 10/81--st joseph's hospital across the street from Disney Studios (I've told him for years that's why he's a little Goofy ) what a "small world after all" write tomorrow!

.…your posts make me LOL.

It IS a small world after all….and I’m getting cornier by the day…Of course, I know where St. Joe’s is. There’ve been quite a few changes to the landscape around there. Entire area (stretching west to Universal) is now referred to as “The Media District.” Disney and WB have done a lot of building, both on Lot and surrounding streets, including high-rise’s (can you believe that?!) Burbank/Toluca Lake isn’t what it was.

So…I’ve learned a lot from this Board, too. Lots of opinions, many which seem to counter each other, but all valid info. The underlying lesson I gleaned is that if one doesn’t PLAN, one will probably be very frustrated and pissed off in short order after arriving….Apparently good to be flexible, but that means having a PLAN B, not merely “going with the flow.” The planning seems, really, to be rather a science—but it does heighten the anticipation!

Check out Disney Restaurants threads. Lots of feedback. Menus on allearsnet.com (yum!) Having a dining plan is better than wandering around trying to figure out what to do, where a good spot is.

Make those PS’s now! While it might seem a bit over the top, I trust the veterans that it is necessary; as poster said, you can always cancel. Would rather have them than not be able to eat where I want at a specific time frame. (Being turned away at restaurant after restaurant, or waiting 2 hours to be seated would make me very cranky.)

Knowing what Disney Transp will get you from point A to B is a good thing—thwart potential irritation, be realistic about the logistics...and take it in stride.

Be aware of EMH and whether you want to use or avoid….maybe better to go to [MK] the day after an EMH day, crowds might be thinner.

Necessary to know what’s going on in which park and on what day so as not to miss special things that aren’t sked every day (Spectromagic, for instance).


Unless $ just isn’t a concern, do re-evaluate the Meal Plan! Really, it’s a fab deal. I did my own little cost and use analysis, and, for me, this is gonna be terrific. Will allow me to enjoy some great dining. I think it actually gives me MORE freedom--don’t have to think about it or worry about the budget. It is what it is! (will send more info later)

Okay, where’s that hair dye? The Flower Power concerts at EPCOT during the Flower & Garden Festival will be big fun blast-from-the-past. The days we’re there: Lovin’ Spoonful and Gary Puckett (remember the Union Gap?)….maybe you guys are too young. (You can really tell who's running "Madison Avenue" these days by the music in t.v. commercials: e.g., Clapton, The Yarbirds, and, yup! The Lovin' Spoonful!)

Was almost going to blow off Pleasure Island altogether…until I read about the Adventurer’s Club (check this out!). Wow!! Sounds like a real kick.

Day off, as poster suggested—you bet, makes good sense. I’m going to KSC! Had planned on Sunday, 5/15….and lo and behold! NASA announced that as the target date for return-to-flight. (Alamo cheap weekend days = 19.95/day or 59.95 for 3 days.)

Wanna meet up for a drink or something??? Where are you guys staying?

More later....

TT

 

[Tinseltown Trauma]

Okay, Bugsy, re: the MYW Meal Plan, check out these threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=757123

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=759111


TT

 

[DrTomorrow]

Welcome, bugsy!

We're empty-nesters, and have made several trips to WDW as couples - we're going to be there right before you for our 25th wedding anniversary. For a nice informal romantic evening, I'd suggest dinner at 'Ohana at the Polynesian - see if you can time it so you're there for the MK fireworks. Then you can stroll around the grounds; the lake, paths that wind through the dense foliage, the island music in the background and the flickering tiki torches are tres romatique!

Have fun!

 

[bugsy]

thanks for all the great info! and drinks sound great! Keep posted!